Leeds advanced to the fifth round as they produced one of the most comfortable football results of the weekend in the FA Cup. The final score does not accurately reflect the game since despite having the best of the first half, the hosts were behind when Harrison scored from the edge of the box. After the break, Accrington surged back but started to lose steam as Leeds’ Premier League caliber came out with two goals in the span of two minutes. Firpo was set up by Patrick Bamford with a magnificent scooped pass that enabled the left-back to shoot in, and Harrison then pulled the ball back for Sinisterra to score easily from close range. Late in the game, 18-year-old replacement Leslie Adekoya scored with his first touch from Sebastian Quirk’s pullback to give Stanley the goal their performance merited.
The initial discussions moved quickly and furiously. With a 25-yard shot, Accrington captain Sean McConville pricked Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s hands, and Max Wober’s lunging tackle stopped Shaun Whalley. Georginio Rutter, a record signing for Leeds, came close to having a perfect debut when, with his first meaningful touch, he dragged a low left-footed shot just inches wide. The visitors were made uncomfortable by Accrington. Both McConville’s rocket launches and Whalley’s close-range threats were repulsed by Meslier.
Harrison, however, gave Leeds the lead in the 23rd minute with the game’s first truly outstanding play when he slammed home a fierce shot into the bottom corner following some clever build-up. Stanley gave a good reply. Meslier stopped an angled drive from Brentford loanee Aaron Pressley before fumbling a Whalley dangerous cross into the area. Leeds nearly increased their advantage through Sinisterra’s long shot, which hit the post and was blocked by Toby Savin, according to video replays. However, Marsch’s team can credit Meslier for keeping them ahead by blocking Ethan Hamilton’s attempt.
Following McConville’s free kick, Harvey Rodgers, a lifetime Leeds supporter, missed his opportunity to score at the far post, giving Accrington a perfect opportunity to tie the score. After Doug Tharme’s long toss was mishandled by Meslier, Rodgers squandered another opportunity. Just after the hour mark, Leeds missed two opportunities of their own when Bamford and Sinisterra both missed the target.
Leeds, though, ended the match with two goals in as many minutes later. Firpo’s first goal for the team was superbly set up by Bamford, and another fluid play culminated with Sinisterra’s thunderous finish off Harrison’s ball. Savin stopped substitute Rodrigo’s effort as Leeds threatened to overwhelm their opponents, preventing Leeds from scoring a fourth. But John Coleman’s team fought valiantly, and Adekoya’s goal from six yards in the 81st minute deservedly cut the lead in half.
“Listen, all I’ll say is that Jack is a person I genuinely like. He is one of the most extraordinary individuals I have ever tutored,” Leeds manager Jesse Marsch said. “Here, we like him. We intend to retain him. He’s doing extremely well right now. I believe that getting him healthy and fit has been crucial. He can change how he plays at will.”
“It’s never easy to just concentrate on doing your work when rumors start to spread, but I’ve tried to communicate with him openly and honestly, and we have that type of connection,” he added. “Finally, you know, he does enjoy being here. That’s all I have to say, you know. He doesn’t exactly seem eager to depart.”
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